- Haji said Kenya faces challenges from rooted customs, threats and challenges reminiscent of the 19th century.
- He said more developed regions experience relative calm and stability but face new and emerging threats.
Image: FILE
National Intelligence Service director general nominee Noordin Haji has laid bare his vision for the state spy agency, promising a radical plan to reform it.
In a document he submitted to the National Assembly's Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Haji said he will engineer major reforms to enhance the agency's operations.
As part of his three-point agenda for NIS, Haji said he will refocus the organization to respond efficiently and effectively to the prevailing threats and opportunities.
He said his refocusing plan has been informed by NIS's operational landscape and the need for efficient utilisation of resources at hand.
Haji said Kenya faces challenges from rooted customs, threats and challenges reminiscent of the 19th century and advancements of the 21st century.
"Threats that have endured for centuries, such as cattle rustling, ethnic violence, and land disputes and an array of emerging threats, including climate change, cyber warfare, misinformation, disinformation, and global health pandemics pose significant threats to Kenya’s security," he told MPs.
He said the challenges exhibit a discernible geographic pattern with less developed regions contending with threats arising from resource competition.
Haji said more developed regions experience relative calm and stability but face new and emerging threats.
"Therefore, it is necessary to refocus the Service to address these realities, by aligning its efforts and resources to the evolving nature of threats and prioritizing the strategic responses accordingly," he said.
As part of Haji's plan to refocus the agency, the outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions revealed that besides terrorism and violent extremism, economic crimes are a big threat facing Kenya.
"The service has to lead in the effort to fight economic crimes and will have to support it by not only collecting intelligence but also converting it into actionable evidence," he said.
Admitting that education disparity is a significant national security concern with far-reaching implications, Haji said the inequalities have contributed to a range of threats across various domains.
The threats include those from terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling and urban criminal gangs, he said.
"These threats underscore the need to address education disparities as an integral part of our national security strategy," he said.
He said, under his leadership, NIS will support the government to securitise education, by conceptualising all elements of education as a national security priority.
"The other priority is the economy, with a specific focus on food security and socio-economic inequalities," he said.
Haji said his vision for NIS is to advance the capabilities of the organization to provide accurate, timely, relevant and actionable intelligence.
He also promised to build a skilled and capable workforce that is adaptable, resilient, innovative and able to address the evolving threats that Kenya faces.